Chikoore, H.Okaka, F.Netshisaulu, K. H.Mmbadi, Elelwani2019-10-222019-10-222019Mmbadi, Elelwani (2019) Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa, University of Venda, South Africa.<http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492MENVSCDepartment of Geography and Geo-Information SciencesMany rural communities of South Africa are living without adequate water supplies mainly due to historical lack of infrastructure and effective water reticulation systems. Day to day challenges of accessing water from distant boreholes and rivers are a reality particularly for women and children in rural Limpopo. This study investigates the nature and extent of water supply problems and how communities are living without adequate water in three rural communities of Greater-Giyani Local Municipality in South Africa. The study area lies in a semi-arid region which regularly experiences climate extremes such as droughts and floods which can reduce the ability of the municipality to supply water. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews and field observations while population, climate and hydrological data are also analyzed. A mixed methods research design was employed using qualitative methods such as content analysis whilst quantitative methods were dominated by time series analysis techniques and online interactive climate platforms such as the Climate Engine. It was found that households, schools and clinics in the study area rely mainly on boreholes for water supply but sometimes rivers supply those living nearby. An incomplete and poor water reticulation system coupled with erratic and shortening summer rainfall seasons are some of the major causes of water shortages in the study area. In order to cope with inadequate water, community members and public institutions in the study area have drilled boreholes and the sustainability of groundwater in the area is not well established. During summer, most households and institutions practise rainwater harvesting while a few resort to purchasing water from vendors. Despite these challenges which are not well documented, it was concluded that most of the rural poor households and institutions in the study area are well adapted to cope with water scarcity in the short term, while being vulnerable in the long term due to population growth and climate change. The study recommends the need for government and municipalities to invest in water reticulation systems in the long term whilst providing water to affected rural communities through water tankers, drilling more boreholes and maintenance of existing ones. Lessons learnt from this study may be useful to other municipalities across South Africa that are grappling with challenges of water access and supply.1 online resource (xvi, 179 leaves :color illustration, color mapsenUniversity of VendaWater resourcesWater supplyWater scarcityChanging climateCoping strategiesGreater-Giyani Local Municipality363.610968259Water -- South Africa -- LimpopoWater quality -- South Africa -- LimpopoWater-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- LimpopoWater-supply -- South Africa -- LimpopoWater harvesting -- South Africa -- LimpopoWater use -- South Africa -- LimpopoDissertationMmbadi E. Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa. []. , 2019 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492Mmbadi, E. (2019). <i>Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492Mmbadi, Elelwani. <i>"Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa."</i> ., , 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492TY - Dissertation AU - Mmbadi, Elelwani AB - Many rural communities of South Africa are living without adequate water supplies mainly due to historical lack of infrastructure and effective water reticulation systems. Day to day challenges of accessing water from distant boreholes and rivers are a reality particularly for women and children in rural Limpopo. This study investigates the nature and extent of water supply problems and how communities are living without adequate water in three rural communities of Greater-Giyani Local Municipality in South Africa. The study area lies in a semi-arid region which regularly experiences climate extremes such as droughts and floods which can reduce the ability of the municipality to supply water. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews and field observations while population, climate and hydrological data are also analyzed. A mixed methods research design was employed using qualitative methods such as content analysis whilst quantitative methods were dominated by time series analysis techniques and online interactive climate platforms such as the Climate Engine. It was found that households, schools and clinics in the study area rely mainly on boreholes for water supply but sometimes rivers supply those living nearby. An incomplete and poor water reticulation system coupled with erratic and shortening summer rainfall seasons are some of the major causes of water shortages in the study area. In order to cope with inadequate water, community members and public institutions in the study area have drilled boreholes and the sustainability of groundwater in the area is not well established. During summer, most households and institutions practise rainwater harvesting while a few resort to purchasing water from vendors. Despite these challenges which are not well documented, it was concluded that most of the rural poor households and institutions in the study area are well adapted to cope with water scarcity in the short term, while being vulnerable in the long term due to population growth and climate change. The study recommends the need for government and municipalities to invest in water reticulation systems in the long term whilst providing water to affected rural communities through water tankers, drilling more boreholes and maintenance of existing ones. Lessons learnt from this study may be useful to other municipalities across South Africa that are grappling with challenges of water access and supply. DA - 2019 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Water resources KW - Water supply KW - Water scarcity KW - Changing climate KW - Coping strategies KW - Greater-Giyani Local Municipality LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2019 T1 - Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa TI - Water security in rural Limpopo in a changing climate: A study of the Greater-Giyani Local Municipality, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1492 ER -